# cling to

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cling-to
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to hold onto something very tightly because you are scared or do not want to lose it; it can also mean refusing to let go of a belief or hope.

For teachers: to adhere closely to a physical object or to maintain a tenacious attachment to an idea, memory, or belief despite changing circumstances.

## Examples

- The child clings to his mother's hand in the crowd.
- Even after the company closed, some employees continued to cling to the hope that they would get their jobs back.
- The ancient ruins cling to the side of the cliff, defying both gravity and the relentless erosion of the coastal winds.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He clings at his old memories." but "He clings to his old memories." — the verb 'cling' always requires the preposition 'to' to connect to its object.

## Usage notes

- usually followed by a physical object or an abstract noun like 'hope', 'belief', or 'tradition'.
- Teaching tip: highlight the transition from the literal physical sense to the figurative emotional sense; it often implies a level of desperation or resistance to change.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.